Marietas Islands Snorkel Cruise from Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive

Whales can turn a boat ride into a bonus. This full-day cruise combines the Marietas Islands, a catamaran ride, breakfast, lunch, snorkeling, Playa la Nopalera, and onboard entertainment. I like the friendly bilingual crew and the chance to see dolphins or humpback whales on the way, though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

I also like that the price includes meals, basic drinks, snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddle boards, life vests, and travel insurance. The main concern is clarity: Hidden Beach is not included, and several activities and fees require extra payment or advance arrangements.

Quick take: what matters most

• A long day at sea: Plan on roughly nine hours, with the ride from Puerto Vallarta taking about two hours or more each way.
• Playa la Nopalera is included: You go ashore there in a smaller boat, but beach time may feel short.
• Hidden Beach costs extra: Entry requires a separate reservation, has limited availability, and is not guaranteed.
• Snorkeling can be crowded: The water may be murky, jellyfish may stop the activity, and time in the water can be about 20 minutes.
• Food is included: Breakfast and lunch are served onboard, with mixed reports on quality and timing.
• The return trip is livelier: Music, dancing, karaoke, and the national open bar are a big part of the trip back.

The real shape of this nine-hour cruise

This is not a quick snorkel outing. It is an all-day catamaran trip from Puerto Vallarta to the Marietas Islands and back.

The meeting point is at Puerto Magico on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio in the north hotel zone. The listed departure is 8:30 a.m., and the boat returns to that same point. Ground transportation is not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the dock.

The advertised group limit is 40 people. Still, the amount of equipment and the way activities are handled can make the trip feel busy. Some accounts describe several boats or side excursions operating around the same island stop, with people taking turns using kayaks, paddle boards, and snorkel gear.

That matters because the Marietas Islands are not just a photo stop. You are paying for time on the water, but much of the day is spent getting there and back. If you enjoy a social boat outing with music and drinks, that can be part of the fun. If you want a quiet, focused snorkeling session, the long transit may test your patience.

Breakfast starts the morning on board

Once the catamaran gets underway, breakfast is served. The listed meal includes eggs with ham, fruit, and juice. Other descriptions refer to simple egg dishes or chilaquiles.

This is useful rather than fancy. You do not need to find breakfast before the early meeting time, and eating onboard gives you something to do during the first stretch of the ride. Do not expect a restaurant meal. It is a basic boat breakfast designed to get the day moving.

The ride itself is part of the experience. The coast opens up as Puerto Vallarta falls behind, and the Marietas Islands gradually become the focus. Dolphins, turtles, and humpback whales have been seen from the boat, especially during whale season, but you should treat these as lucky extras rather than promised stops.

Bring a light jacket or dry layer. The trip back can feel chilly after swimming, and one account specifically recommends a towel and a change of clothes. Seasickness is another real concern. From Puerto Vallarta, the ride may take two hours or more in each direction, and the longer the transit, the more important it is to sit where you feel steady.

Approaching the Marietas Islands

The Marietas Islands are a protected group of rocky islands at the entrance to Banderas Bay. Their appeal comes from steep stone walls, sea caves, arches, and bird life.

The boat passes outside several features, including The Bufadora, the caves, and the Second Crater. These views are best understood as a scenic boat tour, not a walk through every formation. You remain on the catamaran for much of this portion, while the guides explain what you are seeing in both English and Spanish.

The Bufadora is a particularly interesting sight. Waves push water and air through a rock opening, creating a forceful burst. The effect depends on the sea, so the display can vary, but it is one of the more memorable features viewed from the boat.

You also pass the stone arches and the outer caves. These formations make the island feel wild and dramatic, even though the visit itself is tightly organized. Keep your camera ready, but protect it from spray and remember that the boat may not pause for long.

Snorkeling near the reefs

Snorkeling takes place near the reefs off Marietas Island. The crew provides masks, snorkels, and life vests, and guides offer instruction before you enter the water.

This is where expectations need adjusting. The snorkeling can be enjoyable when the water is clear and conditions are calm. Fish and coral have been seen, and some outings have included turtles or other marine life from the boat. But several factors can reduce the quality: murky water, strong current, jellyfish, and too many people in one small area.

Water time may be around 20 minutes. That is enough for a first look, especially if you are not a confident swimmer, but it is not a long reef session. You may spend more time waiting your turn or moving between activities than actually looking underwater.

The equipment also deserves a careful check. Reports include masks that did not fit well and questions about cleaning. Before entering the water, inspect your mask, make sure the mouthpiece looks clean, and ask the crew for a replacement if anything seems wrong.

Life vests are required during the water activities. That is sensible around the islands, where currents can be strong. It also means you should not expect the freedom or comfort of a dedicated scuba or serious snorkeling trip.

If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, I would choose a tour that promises more water time and smaller groups. If snorkeling is one piece of a broader day at sea, this experience may work better.

Playa la Nopalera, the included beach stop

The included island visit is Playa la Nopalera. You leave the main catamaran in a smaller boat and go ashore in groups.

The beach is small, scenic, and appealing precisely because the visit feels more remote than a typical Puerto Vallarta beach stop. You can swim, take photographs, and enjoy the rock formations around the shore. For many people, this is the most satisfying part of the island visit.

The drawback is time. Around 20 minutes has been reported for the beach portion, and that can feel rushed once you account for transferring between boats. Strong surf or current may also affect how the stop operates.

Wear your swimsuit under your clothes and keep valuables to a minimum. A towel, dry clothes, and waterproof protection for phones are practical choices. The boat ride after swimming can be cool, even in warm weather.

Hidden Beach is a separate decision

The most important booking detail is also the easiest to misunderstand: Hidden Beach, also called Playa del Amor, is not part of the standard package.

Access requires an additional reservation and charge. Availability is limited, and paying extra does not necessarily mean entry is guaranteed. Some accounts describe an extra payment of about 1,000 Mexican pesos, but the exact amount and availability should be confirmed before you board.

The visit is handled separately, with a smaller boat taking people toward the beach. That can create timing problems. You need to follow the return instructions closely, and you should not assume that the main catamaran will wait indefinitely.

If Hidden Beach is your main goal, do not book this package based on the title alone. Confirm three things in writing before paying: the current cost, whether your date has space, and what happens if weather or operating limits prevent entry.

For a first visit to the Marietas Islands, Playa la Nopalera and the outer formations can still make a worthwhile day. But they are not the same as stepping into the famous enclosed beach.

Kayaks, paddle boards, and shared equipment

Kayaks and paddle boards are included, along with snorkeling equipment. These options give non-snorkelers something to do and make the long island stop more flexible.

In practice, equipment is shared. The number of kayaks, paddle boards, and snorkel sets may be small compared with the number of people onboard. You may get only a short turn, particularly if everyone wants to use the same gear.

This is still useful for families and mixed groups. One person can snorkel while another tries a paddle board, then switch. Life vests help less confident swimmers take part, though the sea conditions may limit what is possible.

The activity menu sounds broad, but you should think of it as several short options rather than hours of each sport.

Lunch, open bar, and the ride home

Lunch is served onboard after the island activities. Options listed include a cold meat baguette or hamburger with fries and salad, with other accounts describing kebabs, ceviche, chips, or similar simple dishes.

Food quality appears inconsistent. Some meals have been considered tasty and satisfying, while other portions have been described as basic or served later than expected. Bring a small snack if you tend to get hungry, but do not confuse that advice with a claim that outside food is included.

The national open bar includes beer, tequila, rum, vodka, brandy, whiskey, soft drinks, juice, and water. One important catch is timing. Several accounts say alcoholic drinks were mainly available on the return trip, sometimes only during the final hour or hour and a half.

That arrangement is understandable from a safety point of view, especially during snorkeling and transfers. But it should be clear before you book. You are not signing up for drinks throughout the whole morning or on the beach.

The return is usually the social part of the day. Music, dancing, games, and karaoke help break up the long ride. The tone can be lively and entertaining, though loud music has also been a problem for some people. If you want peace and quiet, sit away from the speakers if possible.

Crew service and the onboard atmosphere

The crew is one of the strongest parts of this trip. Guides speak English and Spanish, help with water activities, organize the boat transfers, and keep the day moving.

Names specifically praised include Jonathan and Rogelio. The staff has also been described as friendly, helpful, organized, and good at keeping families involved. A snorkeling lesson and onboard games can make the trip feel more welcoming for first-time participants.

The atmosphere is social rather than polished. Music and entertainment are central, and the host may spend a long time explaining included and extra activities. That can be useful, but it can also feel like repeated upselling when you are already tired from the ride.

Boat comfort is another mixed point. The catamaran has been described in some accounts as older, with hard or uncomfortable plastic chairs. Keep that in mind if you have back trouble or dislike sitting for long periods.

The advertised maximum of 40 people is reassuring, but the experience can still feel crowded around shared gear and small transfer boats. Ask about the expected group size when booking, especially if personal space matters to you.

Is $87.04 a fair price?

At $87.04 per person, the package offers a lot on paper: round-trip maritime transport, breakfast, lunch, soft drinks, some alcoholic drinks, snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddle boards, Playa la Nopalera, bilingual guides, and onboard insurance.

That makes the price reasonable for someone who wants a full day at sea with several built-in activities. A separate boat ride, meals, and drinks could easily add up, and the crew entertainment has been a genuine plus for many people.

You also need to budget for mandatory charges. The dock tax is listed as MX$32 per person, while CONANP and SEMARNAT environmental taxes total MX$180 per person. That adds MX$212 per person beyond the advertised price.

Then come the optional costs. Hidden Beach requires a separate reservation and payment. An ecological boat tour may also cost extra, and photographs taken during the water activities are offered for an additional charge. Ask about all of these before boarding.

The value drops if your priorities are clear water, long snorkeling time, a quiet boat, or guaranteed Hidden Beach entry. The value improves if you want food, drinks, scenery, music, and a full schedule without arranging each part separately.

Who should book this outing?

I would recommend it most to:

• Families who want several easy activities in one day
• First-time visitors who enjoy a social boat atmosphere
• People who want island scenery more than serious snorkeling
• Non-swimmers who appreciate life vests, guides, kayaks, and paddle boards
• Anyone happy to spend much of the day on a catamaran

I would be cautious if you:

• Are booking mainly for Hidden Beach
• Need quiet surroundings
• Get seasick on long boat rides
• Expect a premium catamaran or gourmet meals
• Want uncrowded snorkeling with a large amount of water time

Pregnant women beyond four months cannot take part. Most other participants can join, but conditions at sea may affect swimming and island transfers.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the 8:30 a.m. start. Cancellations inside that window are not refunded, and poor weather may lead to a new date or a full refund.

Should you book the Marietas Islands cruise?

Book this trip if you want an affordable, all-day boat outing with meals, island scenery, basic water activities, and a lively crew. The chance to see whales or dolphins is a welcome bonus, and Playa la Nopalera plus the outer caves can make the day memorable.

Skip it if you want the best possible snorkeling or if Hidden Beach is nonnegotiable. In that case, confirm the extra reservation before paying, or choose a smaller, more specialized Marietas Islands trip.

My practical verdict: this is a social sightseeing cruise with snorkeling, not a premium snorkeling expedition. Go with flexible expectations, bring cash for extra charges, pack a towel and dry layer, and treat the island wildlife as a bonus. You are more likely to enjoy it if the boat ride itself sounds like part of the holiday.

FAQ

How long does the Marietas Islands cruise take?

The experience lasts approximately nine hours and begins at 8:30 a.m. It returns to the same Puerto Magico meeting point in Puerto Vallarta.

What is included in the tour price?

The package includes round-trip catamaran transport, breakfast, onboard food, soft drinks, selected alcoholic drinks, snorkeling equipment, life vests, kayaks, paddle boards, bilingual guides, Playa la Nopalera, views of the islands, music, and travel insurance.

Is Hidden Beach included?

No. Hidden Beach requires a separate reservation and additional payment. Availability is limited, and entry is not guaranteed simply because you pay the extra charge.

Are there extra fees?

Yes. The listed additional costs are a MX$32 dock tax and MX$180 in CONANP and SEMARNAT taxes per person. Optional activities and Hidden Beach access may cost more.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life vests are provided. Snorkeling time and water visibility can vary because of crowding, current, jellyfish, and weather conditions.

Can pregnant women join the cruise?

Pregnant women who are more than four months pregnant cannot take part in this experience. Most other people can participate, subject to sea and weather conditions.